health – Our Speech Garden

Speech Language pathologists will often work with clients who have Aphasia. But what is Aphasia? Aphasia is a communication disorder that affects a person’s ability to produce and comprehend language. What distinguishes this from a standard language impairment is that it can be the result of brain damage, most often due to a stroke, head injury, or brain tumor. Aphasia can come on quickly (as in the case of a stroke) or it can be a slow onset (as in the case of a slowly growing tumor.) This will often predominately impact the left side of the brain, which is known as the language center.

Can children have Aphasia? Yes, they can, although it is more common in adults. Aphasia can be either acquired, meaning it develops after brain damage, or developmental, meaning it is present from birth or early childhood due to a brain abnormality.

As you would expect, an SLP would be tasked with helping the individual with aphasia communicate as effectively as possible. This may involve working on speaking, word finding, writing, reading, and/or understanding language. It may involve using a variety of techniques and tools, such as picture symbols, gestures, reference books, or electronic communication devices (i.e.Alternative Augmentative Communication Device or AAC). With the ultimate goal being communicating needs and wants.

There are several different types of aphasia, each with its own unique set of language difficulties. The type of aphasia someone has depends on the part of the brain that was damaged.

Broca’s aphasia- May have difficulty speaking, but their comprehension is relatively intact. This type of aphasia is caused by damage to the Broca’s area in the frontal lobe.

Wernicke’s aphasia- May have difficulty understanding language, but their ability to speak is largely intact. This type of aphasia is caused by damage to the Wernicke’s area in the temporal lobe.

Global aphasia– Which is a severe form of Aphasia that affects both production and comprehension.

Anomic aphasia– Which is characterized by difficulty finding the right words.

Recovery from aphasia can be a long and challenging process, but with the help of an SLP and other healthcare professionals, many people with aphasia can make significant progress and regain some or all of their language skills.

To see some examples of what the different types of aphasia can look like feel free to look through the videos below.

Broca’s Aphasia:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP8hkopObvs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE6woOFsxQA

Wernicke’s Aphasia:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oef68YabD0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIWDVb94yxQ

Global Aphasia:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUutVGeoG-k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiZudFy1ZVI

Anomic Aphasia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UH6xrzoSGg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUKmTo9U-gk

So frequently when people find out I’m a Speech Language Pathologist I get one of three responses: (1) Oh so you work with /s/’s and /r/’s!, (2) You’re a what? Or (3) That awesome my <insert family/friend/self> had therapy and it made such a difference. But even those who have direct interaction with a Speech Language Pathologist, oftentimes don’t realize the scope of the profession. And if you really want to blow someone’s mind tell them you work in a hospital or are a medical SLP. Of course you’re here, so either you have some background knowledge, are looking for services, or just want to learn more. Regardless of what brought you here, I’m going to help you understand the “who, what, where, when, and why” of the SLP’s world.

Who:

One of the best parts of being a speech language pathologist, is the fact that our profession allows us to work with all stages of life from infants in the NICU, to grandparents at nursing homes or ALFs.

What:

The best way it was described to me as a student was: “An SLP works with everything from the neck up.” That means: Dysphagia (swallowing disorders) Voice (anything impacting vocal quality such as resonance, intensity, quality), Speech disorders (such as articulation, phonological, dysarthria), Fluency (stuttering), Aphasia (which is categorized as a result of portions of the brain being damage, impacting expressive language & receptive), Cognition (which includes memory, problem solving, sequencing, mental manipulation, numerical sense, etc.). Additionally, Language (which can be receptive vs expressive and is the way one perceives communication and their ability to effectively communicate wants, needs, and more) and the use of AAC (alternative augmentative communication) because communication is more than just verbal, so if we can aid someone in finding a manner to communicate that’s what we do.

Where:

SLP’s work virtually everywhere: At homes, daycares, schools, private clinics, in libraries or public locations, in hospitals, in skilled nursing facilities, and assisted living facilities. We can even come to you online. Therapists can come to you or you can come to them. There are even mobile dysphagia diagnostic trucks.

When:

Like mentioned above, there are no age requirements as to when you could use the services of an SLP. But rather, there are qualifying factors. As soon as you identify a concern (whether it is with your child’s development or your aging parent’s sustaining abilities) you should request a referral from your primary health care provider. Most insurance will cover the initial evaluation and many therapists will provide free screenings. Getting answers and early intervention is always the best option for aiding your loved one, in progressing or maintaining as much of their skills as possible.

Why:

This depends on each person. However, the purpose of our therapy is to improve quality of life, at any stage of life. We don’t often realize how much and how vital communication is and without it how isolated one can feel. Our job is to help bridge the gap as much as we can. It is no different with any other area in the field from dysphagia to fluency and cognition. Often most skills related to that area are implemented without thought, and it is not until you or someone you love has an impairment that you realize how vital and how complex it really is.

Hopefully, at this point you have a better understanding of everything your Speech Language Pathologist is educated and equipped to handle. But if I missed something, or you have additional questions please do not hesitate to reach out.

Tag: health

Aphasia! Do you know what it is?